Icons of Maria Angelina Doukaina Palailologina

Abstract

Icons of Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina are examples of female ktetorship in Byzantine cultural sphere (Byzantine culture) in late Middle Ages. Made at the end of the 14th century, these icons transferred the position of their female ktetor to entire Christian hierarchy and furthermore, they reflected her private piety and devotion to Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and Thomas the Apostle, whom she perceived as her protectors and advocates at the Last Judgement. Through ktetorial portraits on forementioned icons, Maria build her identity as a ruler, a legitimate sovereign of Epirus and Ioannina. The foundation of her ruling identity and self-representation lay in family relations with Komnenos, Doukas, Palaiologos and the holy dynasty of Nemanici. The new iconography of an older and well-known depiction of the Incredulity of Saint Thomas was made as a result of the changes in politics and society of the Byzantine commonwealth that were closely connected with Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina and her political influence.